South East Europe Climbs Slowly Out of Recession, says World Bank

SARAJEVO, May 26, 2014—South East Europe’s (SEE6[1]) economy began recovering from the 2012 recession, growing by 2.2 percent on average in 2013, according to the World Bank’s latest South East Europe Regular Economic Report (SEE RER). Looking ahead, the report says the region is projected to grow at 1.9 percent in 2014 and 2.6 percent in 2015 thanks to growing external demand, but significant risks cloud the outlook, including the expected impact of recent flooding in the region.

Severe floods, in particular in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia, which occurred in mid-May due to unprecedented rains, have caused a humanitarian crisis with dozens of people dead and millions displaced or left without access to water or power. Housing, crops and livestock have been lost, and major transportation links have been disrupted. The floods will undoubtedly have a negative impact on growth in 2014, though it is too early to measure the full impact. Assessments of damage and reconstruction needs are being launched as initial relief operations continue.

In 2013, each of the six countries of South East Europe marked positive growth rates, with growth at or exceeding 3 percent in Kosovo, FYR Macedonia, and Montenegro. In all countries, a good agricultural year and growth in industry supported the region’s economic activity.

“In 2013, South East Europe began recovering from recession,” said Ellen Goldstein, World Bank Country Director for South East Europe. “Economic growth was possible thanks to the increased demand for regional exports from high-income countries, particularly those in the European Union (EU). The devastating floods in mid-May are a humanitarian disaster for several countries of Southeast Europe, and will impact economic recovery for the next few years in ways that have yet to be fully assessed.”

According to the report, exports grew by close to 17 percent in 2013, led by particularly rapid growth of Serbian exports. The major increase in 2013 came from the export of machinery and transport equipment, mainly from Serbia and FYR Macedonia. Meanwhile, mineral fuels exports were quite significant in Albania and Montenegro, and base metals were around a quarter of exports from Kosovo in 2013.

In contrast, the region’s domestic demand contracted in 2013. Noting this, Goldstein said, “We encourage Western Balkan countries to shift from an internal demand-driven growth model to one fueled by exports, leading to greater integration in European and global markets. With recovery underway, now is the time to focus on creating an investment climate conducive to export-led growth and enhancing connectedness.”

Domestic demand was further suppressed by declining remittances to the region in 2013, reflecting a still-sluggish economic recovery and prevailing high unemployment in EU countries. With few new jobs, falling remittances, and limited credit to the economy, household incomes and firms’ profits were unable to boost domestic consumption or investment in the region.

“Overall, while the recovery has brought growth, countries in the region are having limited success in translating the economic recovery into job creation,” said Gallina A Vincelette, Lead Economist and one of the authors of the SEE RER. “Unemployment remained very high in the region at an average rate of over 24 percent in 2013. Persistently high unemployment rates and chronic unemployment are particularly prevalent among vulnerable groups, such as youth, women, and the low-skilled.”

The report says that challenges remain and need action in the financial and fiscal sectors. Taming the high and still rising non-performing loans; resuming credit growth to viable corporate borrowers; pursuing decisive consolidation efforts to restore fiscal balance; and reducing public debt would help stimulate economic activity. To sustain growth in the region, the countries need to further strengthen their domestic macroeconomic fundamentals and policies that boost productivity and resilience to external turmoil.

In addition, the recent economic recovery is an opportunity to re-launch long-overdue structural reforms. Priorities for growth and jobs creation include macroeconomic and fiscal stabilization, improved competitiveness and connectivity, enhanced skills and labor productivity, and strengthened governance and anti-corruption.

The SEE RER is produced twice a year by staff economists in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department (ECA PREM) of the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Region.